By Hong and Kim Pham, The Ravenous Couple
Inspired by Alton Brown, Good Eats
Yield: 4 medium size ramekins
Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 35-40 min
1 quart heavy cream
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
1/2 cup sugar + 4 tablespoons
6 large egg yolks
2 quarts hot water
2 dragon fruit
2 tablespoons confectioners sugar
Crème fraiche or whipped cream
Mint or basil
1. In medium sauce pan on medium high, add cream and vanilla bean along with scrapings until it just begins to boil, then turn off heat and cover for about 15 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Bring to boil 2 quart of hot water in a tea kettle.
3. In mixing bowl, combine the egg yolks and 1/2 cup of sugar and beat until it is smooth and turns light yellow. Then add your cream and continuously stir. Place your baking pan in the oven and pour the hot water around the ramekins covering about 1/2 the ramekin. Then pour in the creme brulée mixture and bake until set (firm but the center jiggles when nudged), about 35-40 minutes.
4. Remove from the oven and cool for at least 2-3 hours.
5. Using a melon baller, make "pearls" of dragon fruit and chiffonade the mint/basil. When ready to serve, evenly spread a layer of sugar with the remaining 4 tablespoons (use less if desired) over the creme brulée and torch (with heavy duty hardware store torch) until golden brown. Top thecrème brûlée with dollop of crème fraiche, dragon fruit pearls, and mints. Sift with a fine layer of confectioners sugar and enjoy.
